Erik ten Hag has reiterated how important it is that the centre-backs can spark attacks to the right and left, comfortably feeding the ball through the lines.
This is nothing particularly new to hear from a Manchester United manager as his fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal had strong views on the subject, preferring a right-footer and left-footer as a partnership in the middle. Marcos Rojo or Daley Blind would often fill the role on the left, and Academy product Tyler Blackett made 11 appearances there.
It is a reason why the continued absence of both Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw has been such a blow to the way the team operates, and how Ten Hag likes to play.